TMC NEWS

TMCNET eNEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Games [Northern Echo (England)]

(Northern Echo (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Superhuman effort
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes:
Universe in Peril Xbox 360, [pounds]29.99 LEGO has nailed another hugely popular fictional world for its latest outing, catapulting the band of highpowered Marvel Super Heroes into their own original story. Taking control of Iron Man, Spider-Man, the Hulk, Captain America, Wolverine and many more comic book faces, you'll all unite to stop Loki and a host of other familiar villains from assembling a super-weapon capable of destroying the world.

Make no mistake, this is arguably the best LEGO and Marvel game to date, and that's got to be considered a superhuman effort when you look at the back catalogue. It's a perfect action romp that challenges young gamers just embarking on their video-game opus, as well as those who think they've done it all before.

Whether your thing is wreaking havoc on the streets as Spidey's evil alter-ego Venom, or perfecting your technique in the game's surprisingly challenging puzzles, this comic book world is one of the top smile-inducers on the 360 for quite some time.

Island hopping Mario Party: Island Tour Nintendo 3DS, [pounds]29.99 THERE'S a party going down and you need to be there. Hitting the Island Tour, there's always something new to do, as you play against friends on one of the seven unique game boards or opt to go it alone against computer opponents in Bowser's tower. Whatever path you go for first, be safe in the knowledge that there's a whopping 80 all-new mini-games to keep you amused, so the experience stays fresh more often than not.

So what do you want to play? Each board has its own set of rules, and the activities will test speed, concentration - and luck. In addition to the board game elements, you can get stuck into AR Card games and StreetPass battles, adding to the social fun and further extending your love affair with Mario and co. Time's at a premium for everyone these days, and Island Tour is a top way to button mash the minutes you do have free.

Danger's still appealing Joe Danger: Infinity iPhone/iPad, [pounds]1.99 JOE'S Danger tolerance knows no bounds. Not content with completing dozens of daredevil levels on his stunt bike last year, he's back for more two-wheeled hurtling high-jinks, as you try once again to keep our hero in the saddle, no matter what Infinity throws at you. But your bike is just the beginning, with dozens of new vehicles available, including motorbikes, cars and planes, and each with a slick set of micro skills to help you duck, dive and dodge out of the way of the inventive set of obstacles in this sequel.

If you loved the original game, there's no doubt that you'll find hours of fun here, although aside from more polished graphics and the new vehicle dynamics, it's pretty much the same game we loved before. But who doesn't want a colourful, quick-fix action reflex- fest to blow away the cold cobwebs in the darkness of January? This biker fun will kick-start your 2014 for sure.